Project 10073 Record Card: Unidentified Flying Object, Riga, USSR

This document is a Project 10073 record card detailing an Unidentified Flying Object sighting in Riga, USSR, on July 24, 1958. The witness, a 30-year-old streetcar driver and mechanic, observed the object at approximately 0030 hours after leaving his depot. He described the object as a glittering, pipe-shaped entity, approximately 30 centimeters in length, emitting bluish-gray exhaust fumes from its end. The object moved from the northeast to the southwest. Initially, the witness and his colleagues believed the object to be Sputnik. The witness noted that the object appeared to be illuminated, though no specific light source was visible. During the observation, the city was experiencing an air-raid drill, resulting in a blackout, which provided clear visibility of the moon and stars. The witness reported that the object appeared to climb initially before transitioning to level flight and disappearing behind buildings. The official conclusion reached by the 7050th Air Intelligence Service Wing (USAFE) was that the duration and distance traveled indicated a meteor sighting, with its self-luminous appearance further supporting this assessment. The report also notes that the witness observed military cargo and radio trucks traveling toward Yelgava on his way home, though no other unusual activity was noted. There were no public reports or rumors regarding the sighting in local media.